Manifesting Stars, Soundtracks, and Signings
For Umoja Faculty Leaders,
What would it look like if African-centered Education and a minibus full of Umoja leaders hit the road together? The answer might just be called Manifesting Stars, Soundtracks, and Signings.
Stars
The Umoja team inhaled and exhaled. We sat in plush seats on a black minibus behind tinted windows, like superstars of African-centered courses, programs, and services. The bus's vents circulated a mixture of Egyptian musk, incense, perfumes, air conditioning, and positive vibes.
We pulled away from the curb at 8:45 AM on a mission.
At the stop sign on the corner of 7th Street in Sacramento, our driver turned right. We entered the expressway and drove toward Stockton for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony at a community college. The driver announced instructions to access the Bluetooth speaker's controls.
Soundtracks
Some of us talked, others slept, and several team members worked while listening to the music of our resident "Dr. DJ." As Kendrick Lamar, Dead Prez, and Tupac filled the cabin's speakers, our minibus passed semi-trucks and cars in adjacent lanes. We had traveled several miles when one of Umoja's Regional Coordinators requested a song.
The DJ Dr. listened but failed to comply. "Everything that I desire is going to come to me," the chorus of a song on his playlist looped repeatedly. The message reinforced one of the UCEF's practices.
Manifesting: An Umoja Core Practice
Umoja defines manifesting as a practice that "intends to make sure that all of what we do in our programs is applied, connected, and relevant to the students' lives, and the learning manifests inside the identity—spirit and mind—of the students." Our programs, services, and courses must reflect the multiple facets of the students we serve.
Manifesting embodies a phrase of the pathway to becoming Umojafied. The route involves honoring, celebrating, and teaching about the African diaspora. Umoja offers the Umoja Global Institute and the Summer Learning Institute as the smoothest roads to earning Certified Umojafied status.
As we moved along the expressway, the soundtrack inside the bus changed from conscious hip-hop to commercial rap. We listened as an artist roasted and boasted about money, violence, and sexual conquests. The music made some of us appreciate the stellar beats and criticize the poor lyrics, rich with stupidity.
Others wondered why the artist attracted any fans. I was among the "others."
Contemplations about the dumbing down of America found a way into the bus's circulation system. Thoughts about how ignorance became big business floated above our heads in cartoonish white clouds. One idea became real.
"
Rappers sell out venues, and politicians win elections because of their ability to tap into a collective unawareness. Why do you think conservatives target "woke" curricula?
— Dr. VSignings
Administrators, faculty members, students, and staff welcomed us to their campus with open arms. We took the stairs and elevators to a meeting room for a discussion about the Umoja program and its key components. Our marketing team took notes and pictures.
The college's employees expressed enthusiasm for the foundation and recognized Black students as "the promise" of the future. One professor said, "The students are the promise. They are the future that can't be broken." Everyone pledged to support the Umoja model for Black academic success. They expressed alignment with the Umoja Global Institute's foundational course.
College administrators and board members asked questions to demonstrate their interest and commitment to Umoja. Our team responded with poise and more promises to work in collaboration with the campus.
The College President and a UCEF leader signed the MOU with a black Sharpie marker. Students, staff, administrators, and the Umoja team shared a celebratory lunch. Afterward, students took us on a campus tour with a stop in their academic hub.
Inside the BEES Hive
The "Black Excellence and Empowerment Strategy" (BEES) center held occupancy on the second floor of the student affairs building. Inside the BEES hive, we spotted a picture of Beyoncé among other images of cool celebrities, sexy scientists, and wise writers. Our team talked and shared cupcakes with students around circular tables in a room with space for computers and private meetings.
With our heads, hearts, and stomachs full, we boarded the minibus at 1:30 PM. DJ Dr. retook control of the Bluetooth speakers and played another one of his carefully selected songs. The mix did not include the late great soulful star D'Angelo.
When we returned to the headquarters, we debriefed in the conference room before splitting to do the work in support of Umoja's mission and vision.
That's my perspective, but I could be wrong. Enroll in Umoja Global Institute's The Basis for Black Student Achievement course to go deeper into what manifesting, African-centered education, and the Umoja practices look like in action.
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See It In Action
Watch the UGI webinar to learn more about Umoja's educational philosophy and how you can bring these practices into your classroom and community spaces.
In solidarity with your success,
Dr. V
Author
Dr. Vernon Lindsay